Penis (n.) – the male reproductive organ of higher invertebrates with the primary functions of delivering semen during copulation and the elimination of urine from the body. A pretty straightforward definition for a pretty straightforward tool; so it may come as a surprise that there is more to this small, fleshy organ than meets the eye. Here are just a few of the odder facts about the penis, as well as some tips for improving penis health.
1. More than ½ a man’s penis is actually inside his body. It’s true – while only the business end of the penis actually protrudes from the body, the smooth muscle and erectile tissue continues on the inside, making up a good 50% of the actual length of the penis. No, that does not mean that a guy with a 5-incher (by far the normal size for an erect adult male) can claim that he has a 10-inch tool.
2. The penis can break (youch!). Well, not break, exactly, because there is no bone in the boner at all. However, the connective tissue surrounding the erectile chambers can – unfortunately – be ruptured if it is subjected to some very rough treatment. Because this can lead to scarring of the connective tissue, which can affect both the length of the penis and the direction of an erection – not to mention severe pain – caution during indoor sports is strongly advised.
3. Some guys have two. No, really. A very, very small percentage of male infants are born with a condition known as diphallus, the scientific term for two penises. While some interesting possibilities spring to mind here, no record exists of a guy having two fully functional Johnsons – and in fact, the 2nd is generally surgically removed during infancy.
4. It used to have a spine. No, not that kind of spine… a spine – the pointy kind, like on a cactus or a porcupine. Scientists are not exactly sure what function it had, although it is likely it was somehow involved in erectile function. Women the world over are thankful that this spine got lost along the evolutionary chain, somewhere between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
5. Semen has antidepressant properties. Not only are male emissions full of little wiggly swimmers; they also happen to have a rich mix of neurotransmitter chemicals that are known to have antidepressant properties. Oxytocin, serotonin, and melatonin, all known mood elevators, can be found in seminal fluid, as well as the affection-enhancing cortisol. Not that an antidepressant effect can be obtained by ingesting semen. Just saying.
6. It needs good nutrition, too. OK, maybe this isn’t all that surprising – most of us know that the old saying, “you are what you eat” applies to the entire body, and proper nutrition is essential to overall health and wellbeing. What many don’t realize, though, is the role that certain nutrients play in the health and function of the penis. For instance, the ever-popular vitamin C is essential to many aspects of penile structure; it is an important component in building and repairing circulatory tissue, as well as the connective tissue that gives the skin its shape and elasticity. Vitamin A, which is well-known for its skin-boosting properties, is also needed for healthy, youthful-looking skin, while vitamins B5 and D contribute to overall cellular function. Even more importantly, amino acids such as acetyl L carnitine and L-arginine are required for erectile function, as well as maintaining nerve health. Men should not be intimidated by this list, however, even if their diet is not ideal. Applying a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) containing a blend of these nutrients after a daily shower can go a long way toward nourishing the penile tissue, leaving the penis supple and responsive.